Botswana national team coach Morena Ramoreboli has revealed why he is confident that when Xolani Cossa returns from his loan at Black Lions FC, he will secure his place at Kaizer Chiefs.
Cossa is currently on a season-long loan at Lions, the newly acquired team in the neighbouring country.
The young defender was sent on loan to gain senior team playing time, as Rushwin Dortley, Bradley Cross, and Aden McCarthy were all trusted left centre-backs at the Chiefs. The club recognised it would have been difficult for him to secure a starting position.
Almost halfway through his time in Gaborone, Ramoreboli is convinced that the 21-year-old has what it takes to succeed in the Betway Premiership. The Zebras coach explained his reasons during a virtual engagement with SAFJA members.
WHAT CONVINCES MORENA RAMOREBOLI THAT XOLANI COSSA WILL BE READY FOR FIRST TEAM ACTION AT CHIEFS
“I still say there’s so much that Xolani can give. He’s a very good player, very strong in the air and very strong technically,” said Ramoreboli.
“In his first match [against Matebele FC in September], I was watching him score a set piece between the centre line and the 18-yard box. He took a beautiful shot and scored the goal. So, these are players that you say, from here, he can easily go back to Kaizer Chiefs and claim his position.”
He observed what would have made it difficult for a young player like Cossa to break into the professional ranks.
“It’s always difficult for Xolani to break into the senior team of Kaizer Chiefs because they want the results. They want to be consistent. They want to win. Chiefs don’t have time to experiment,” added the Botswana coach.
“So that is why maybe it will be difficult for Xolani. If one has to talk of [Aden] McCarthy, he had to play for the national team. He was part of the CHAN team, which I think prepared him for the senior team challenges. So, for me, I feel that it’s very important that this, this opportunity can be used by many clubs to say we have these players.”
Former Amakhosi coach Nasreddine Nabi, who gave McCarthy his debut, previously acknowledged that he brought him in after observing him in the CHAN qualifiers.
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